Souljourn

Quotes from home

I heard this today...

"Dad if you died, I bet mom would buy us cell phones."

It's great to be reminded of your place in the world.

A quick rundown

Here's what my day off looked like...

• Got the kids off to school
• Enjoyed a cup of coffee and some quiet time
• Went to the gym (listened to a great podcast)
• Dropped Naomi off at the pool to register the boys for swimming lessons (thumbs up from Emerson, thumbs down from Hudson)
• Went to Home Depot to get shelving material for our upstairs reno project
• Had 'Wicked Thai' soup at Quality food with Naomi (a favourite)
• Got my eyes checked (I hate the drops that dilate your pupils for two hours)
• Picked out some new frames (relied heavily on Naomi for this as I couldn't really see)
• Put up the shelves and finished up the linen closet upstairs
• Helped Emerson get the dirt bike started so he could ride it around the back yard
• Helped Hudson with some math homework
• Got the whole family involved in a few household chores
• Watched House (jumped a little when the guy getting the autopsy woke up)
• Sent off a text message in preparation for prayer tomorrow am
• Took note that the Denver Bronco's beat San Diego and are now 6-0
• Folded some laundry
• Filled you in on the days events
• Calling it a night (feel really good about today)

The joys of being a nine year old boy

This is Hudson's new favourite game.  You'll know why as soon as you play.  

And please, give yourself a break and don't feel guilty or immature when you enjoy it and laugh out loud while playing.

A great Saturday morning!

It is not even 11 o'clock and it has already been a great day.  I met a couple other guys (thanks Dad & Rick) at the church at 7:30 to get breakfast ready for the men that would gather at 8:00 and they started rolling in at 7:50.  By 8:10 we had over 15 guys ready to eat and then head off to various job sites in the city.

This was our first time doing this so I was really pleased with the turnout.  After some coffee, juice, eggs and toast we had a short devotional about the impact of doing good and then we headed off to put it into practice.  

With the number of men that showed up we split up into groups of three and four and headed out to five different projects.  We cleaned some gutters, raked some leaves, fixed a fence, washed the exterior of a home, pruned some hedges, moved some heavy furniture, and put in some insulation (and a couple guys stayed behind to clean up the dishes from breakfast)...and it was FUN.

I know that I would not have felt the same joy about having to do any ONE of those items at my own home, but when you put serving others into the mix, and doing it with some friends, the results are completely different.

Thank you to all of the guys that showed up and to the people that gave us an opportunity to serve.

We're going to do it all again on Saturday November 14th so keep the morning free, you'll be glad you did.

PS.  Now I am headed to the mainland with Naomi for her 20th high school grad anniversary.  Does anyone have some more gutters to clean? Please?

It's been a long time!

Emerson asked me to help him with his math.  This was what I came up with: (he told me it had something to do with 'stem & leaf')  He probably won't ask for my help again.

I believe in miracles! (look at the last post before this one)

Last words...(just in case)

I recorded this message last night on the eve of our 2nd annual 5k race.  Last year I was in a lot better shape.  Last year I was confident going into the race but this year is a different story.  Hence, the video..

What an honour!

We just found out today that Naomi's aunt is going to be receiving the Order of British Columbia on September 16th.  Here is a description of the award from the government's website:

The Order of British Columbia was established by statute on April 21, 1989, to recognize those persons who have served with the greatest distinction and excelled in any field of endeavour benefiting the people of the Province or elsewhere. The Order represents the highest form of recognition the Province can extend to its citizens.

Naomi's aunt, Dolores Kirkwood, has been a choreographer and dance  instructor for over 60 years and many of her students have gone on to study at the famous Julliard School, and some have danced for the National Ballet, Royal Winnipeg Ballet, New Zealand Ballet, and the Stuttgart Ballet.  

Congratulations Aunt Dolores!  We are thrilled to see you receiving such a well deserved honour!

 

Happy Father's day Dad

I wrote this post last year on Father's day.  I'm not trying to be lazy by reposting it but these are not just my thoughts from last year, they are my thoughts.  As I was getting ready to write this post I had completely forgotten about last years post and I went looking through my pictures for this picture of my Dad walking beside Emerson.  It's two years old now but it is still fresh in my memory because it embodies so many of the qualities I love about my Dad.  When I found it, it jogged my memory that I had used it last year as well so I went looking for the post I had written.  Here it is...  (Thanks Dad!  I'm glad you're my Father, and our children's Grandfather.  We are all very blessed!)

I've heard it said that a picture is worth a thousand words and I'm inclined to believe it, particularly with this picture.  This is a picture I took last year (two years ago) when we were on vacation in Kelowna with our whole family (it is a picture of my Dad walking up the road with Emerson).  To me, this picture embodies so many of the reasons I am so thankful for my Dad (I'd have to post quite a few pictures to cover all the words).

• He is a father that walks alongside and shares life with you.
• He is a father that leans in relationally.
• He is a father that you want to share your most fun moments with (and is involved in making many of them).
• He is a father with much wisdom that you will come alongside to benefit from.
• He is a father who is walking in to the future not dwelling on the past.
• He is a father who is walking the next generation into the future with him.
• He is a father that loves his family.
• He is a father who lightens your load.
• He is a father who makes the journey seem shorter.

This past year (2008-2009) has only given me more opportunities to experience these qualities and deepen my appreciation for them.

I love you Dad.  

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A baby is coming!